When molten metal is siphoned into a crucible, it is possible that some electrolytic bath material is siphoned with it. When this happens, the bath material has negative effects on the furnace during the batching process (generation of sodium). To prevent this problem, an automatic skimming machine – the ACS / Aluminium Crucible Skimmer – has been developed to be used alone or fully integrated to the TAC operation.
The automatic skimming unit is equipped with a special tool set designed to remove the maximum of solid bath and dross floating on the liquid metal surface. Part of the tool is fixed, while the other, mobile, allows a circular movement around the crucible to collect the dross and solid bath. The dross and bath are then discharged into a hopper and collected in a bin.
In addition to minimizing the negative effects of the bath, the automated skimmer also reduces labor and operating costs as well as safety and hygiene problems.
TAC / Treatment of Aluminium in Crucible
Metal treatment and casthouse technologies